Mexico and U.S. Announce Joint Declaration; New Tariffs Avoided

WASHINGTON, DC - The week is starting on a note of partnership rather than that of planned tariffs between the U.S. and Mexico. The two powers announced they have struck a deal to work together to immediately implement a “durable solution” addressing challenges of irregular migration.

“I would like to thank the President of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and his foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard, together with all of the many representatives of both the United States and Mexico, for working so long and hard to get our agreementon immigration completed!” President Donald Trump said on Twitter Saturday morning, June 8.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador praised the deal, calling for celebrations in Mexico on Saturday. According to an NPR report, López Obrador thanked "all Mexicans who made it possible to avoid the imposition of tariffs on Mexico products exported to the United States."

A media note from the White House, which can be found here, said that the United States and Mexico met last week, resulting in additional commitments from both countries. Mexico, for example, said it will increase enforcement and take action to “dismantle human smuggling and trafficking organizations as well as their illicit financial and transportation networks,” while the U.S. is committing to finding a way to accelerate evaluations of those looking to enter the country.

Per the agreement, the U.S. will also continue to expand the existing Migrant Protection Protocols across its entire Southern Border. This, the White House said, means those crossing the U.S.’s Southern Border to seek asylum will be “rapidly returned to Mexico, where they may await the adjudication of their asylum claims.” Mexico will authorize entrance for humanitarian reasons.

While Mexico included in the agreement that it will offer jobs, healthcare, and education, NPR reported critics are questioning the safety of those returned to Mexico.

For now, the two sides said they recognize the strong links between promoting development and economic growth in southern Mexico and the success of promoting prosperity, good governance, and security in Central America, committing to lead in working with regional and international partners. Should the results not pan out as expected, the U.S. and Mexico said discussions will continue, as well as taking further actions.